Section 131.16. Automotive emission repair technician training.

 

(1)   General. The department, in cooperation with community and technical colleges located in counties certified under s. 110.20 (5) (a) , Stats., shall establish guidelines for assessing programs for automotive emission repair technician education and training available at both public and private facilities. The department shall designate programs that meet these guidelines as Wisconsin emission technician training, or WISETECH, programs. Any public or private facility offering automotive emission repair technician training may request WISETECH designation from the department.

(2)   Criteria. To meet WISETECH standards, training courses shall, at a minimum, include instruction in:

(a) Diagnosis and repair of malfunctions in computer controlled close-loop vehicles.

(b) Application of emission control theory and diagnostic data to the diagnosis and repair of vehicles failing OBD inspection.

(c) Utilization of diagnostic information on systematic or repeated failures observed in OBD inspection.

(d) General training on the various subsystems related to engine emission control.

(3)   Equipment. Both private and public facilities offering WISETECH designated automotive emission repair training courses shall have available, and maintain in good working condition, tools and equipment necessary for the proper diagnosis, adjustment and repair of all nonexempt vehicles. All equipment utilized in the training courses shall be maintained according to the manufacturer's specifications.

(4)   Program recognition. Programs shall be designated as meeting WISETECH standards if in compliance with one of the following:

(a) The department approves the course curricula, equipment and facility.

(b) The training facility presents documentation that the course meets National Automotive Technician Education Foundation, Inc., standards.

(5)   Technician recognition.

(a) A person successfully completing all phases of a WISETECH training program shall achieve the designation of "recognized automotive emission repair technician" as defined in s. Trans 131.02 (38) .

(b) A person who satisfactorily completes a WISETECH approved automotive emission training course shall receive from the organization providing the training, an identification card which states the technician's name, the name and location of the course, the date of completion and a WISETECH identification number.

(6)   Reporting. Both private and public facilities offering WISETECH automotive emission repair training courses shall supply the department with the names of the persons registered in their course, the percentage successfully passing the course and the names and WISETECH identification numbers of those passing.

(7)   Supplemental training. The department may authorize periodic supplemental training as a requirement for a person to maintain the status of WISETECH automotive emission repair technician.

(8)   Quality assurance.

(a) WISETECH training programs are subject to periodic monitoring by the department or its representative to assure that courses continue to meet WISETECH standards.

(b) The department may use performance monitoring as described in s. Trans 131.15 to evaluate both the emission repair success of the technicians and the effectiveness of WISETECH designated courses.

Emerg. cr., eff. 12-4-95; cr. Register, April, 1996, No. 484 , eff. 5-1-96; am. (2) (b) and (c), Register, May, 2001, No. 545 , eff. 6-1-01; CR 07-114 : am. (2) (b), (c) and (3) Register June 2008 No. 630 , eff. 7-1-08.